discourage

verb

dis·​cour·​age di-ˈskər-ij 

-ˈskə-rij

discouraged; discouraging

transitive verb

1

: to deprive of courage or confidence : dishearten

was discouraged by repeated failure

2

a

: to hinder by disfavoring

trying to discourage absenteeism

b

: to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something

tried to discourage her from going

discourageable

di-ˈskər-i-jə-bəl 

-ˈskə-ri-

adjective

discourager noun

discouragingly

di-ˈskər-i-jiŋ-lē 

-ˈkə-ri-

adverb

Synonyms

• chill
• daunt
• demoralize
• dishearten
• dismay
• dispirit
• frustrate
• unman
• unnerve

Examples of discourage in a Sentence

Try not to let losing discourage you.

The area's dry climate discourages agriculture.

He claims the new regulations will discourage investment.

That type of behavior ought to be discouraged.

Recent Examples on the Web

All these incidents may have discouraged some potential Tesla buyers from going ahead with their purchases. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025

Senior officials in the Newsom administration reportedly discouraged Democrats in the state’s legislature from introducing bills related to transgenderism weeks before the podcast aired. —Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 31 Mar. 2025

This community-minded consumption structure may have discouraged breweries from raising prices. —Akiko Katayama, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

The goal would be to discourage the use of the bags, which not only harm the environment but can clog city sewer drains and lead to street flooding. —Karri Peifer, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English discoragen, from Middle French descorager, from Old French descoragier, from des- dis- + corage courage

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for discourage

• demurrage
• encourage
• burrage
• courage

Kids Definition

discourage

verb

dis·​cour·​age dis-ˈkər-ij 

-ˈkə-rij

discouraged; discouraging

1

: to lessen the courage or confidence of : dishearten

didn't let losing discourage me

2

a

: to make less likely or appealing : deter

laws that discourage speeding

b

: to advise against a course of action : dissuade

discouraged careless work

discouragingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb